PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- The FIFA Fan Festival in Philadelphia gets underway Thursday afternoon, just as the first match of the 2026 World Cup begins in Mexico City.
The first match in Philadelphia fill feature Ivory Coast taking on Ecuador at 7 p.m. Sunday.
Nine teams are competing in Philadelphia, including Ivory Coast, Ecuador, Brazil, Haiti, France, Iraq, Curacao, Croatia, and Ghana.
All games will be held at Lincoln Financial Field, which has been renamed "Philadelphia Stadium" for the international event.
For the first time, FIFA has created sensory-inclusive spaces at all 16 stadiums across North America, offering fans a quiet place to step away from the noise and excitement.
For the first time, FIFA has created sensory‑inclusive spaces at all 16 stadiums across North America.
The spaces are designed for spectators who may experience sensory overload during matches.
"To be able to sneak away a little bit if they're having a bit of a sensory overload within the stadium, that they can take some time, find some space to find quiet quietness, and then get back to the beautiful game," a spokesperson said.
In addition to permanent rooms, FIFA has deployed a mobile unit featuring Hisense television technology intended to support relaxation.
Trained staff will be on hand to assist fans waiting to use the spaces.
"FIFA believes that football really unites the world, and in order to unite all, we need to make these spaces available to folks that have sensory needs, and then have these accessibility programs in place so all can feel welcome and involved and part of these matches and part of this worldwide experience," the spokesperson said.
The sensory-inclusive spaces will be available at all 104 FIFA World Cup games.
Philadelphia prepares for crowds as transit concerns and excitement grow
The excitement is building as the World Cup is set to kick off this week, but uncertainty remains about how traffic and transportation will handle the influx of visitors and fans arriving in the city.
At Girard Avenue and Poplar Street, conditions may seem calm at night, but residents say that changes dramatically during busy afternoon hours.
Philadelphia prepares for World Cup crowds as transit concerns and excitement grow
Concerns center largely on traffic and public transportation regarding how it will manage increased demand.
"Frequency, cleanliness," said Kevin Herald of University City, pointing to key issues he hopes will be addressed.
SEPTA officials say they are prepared for the surge, anticipating transporting about 40,000 people by subway to the South Philadelphia stadium for each match. Some riders remain confident in the system's ability to scale up service.
"Phillies, Eagles, I've been through it all whenever the games are happening. SEPTA picks up frequency, so I'm not particularly worried about it," said Alex Styer of Wallingford.
Others, particularly those living near the stadium area, worry about the impact on daily commutes.
"Many concerns, SEPTA isn't on time as it is, so I'm very concerned about going back and forth to work. We're packed in for Phillies games, so I'm 100% concerned," said Chyanne Bambra of South Philadelphia.
SEPTA has expanded staffing and services, adding more than 700 ambassadors to assist riders navigating the system, plus they've increased station cleaning efforts and scheduled frequent "wash downs."
Fans are already getting a preview of the atmosphere surrounding the tournament. At Subaru Park, a friendly match between Philadelphia Union II and Ivory Coast drew crowds eager for what's ahead.
"It's kind of like the pregame to the big event. I'm excited about the world stuff coming to our neighborhood, I live right next to the fan fest," said Pierre Peters of Brewerytown.
To help manage travel, Pennsylvania has launched a website, 511PA.com, offering updates on congestion and drive times during World Cup events. Additional service has also been added to the 32 and 48 bus routes, which provide access to Lemon Hill, where FIFA's free fan fest will take place. That area is already seeing congestion due to road closures.
"A little bit of traffic, a little bit of noise, everybody is still figuring it out. We'll see what happens when it starts," Peters said.
For now, many residents say they are taking a wait-and-see approach.
SEPTA officials say additional service will also be in place for the Fourth of July, as preparations continue.
The free fan fest is scheduled to open on Thursday at 2 p.m. for the first World Cup game.
2 hours and 18 minutes ago
16 stadiums are hosting matches across US
Matches for the 2026 World Cup are being held at 16 stadiums across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Many of the stadiums have been renamed by FIFA for the duration of the tournament because the companies that paid for the naming rights are not FIFA sponsors.
Arrowhead Stadium (called Kansas City Stadium by FIFA)
Capacity: 73,000 (FIFA says its listed figures are subject to change)
Location: Kansas City, Missouri
Matches: Argentina vs. Algeria (June 16), Ecuador vs. Curaao (June 20), Tunisia vs. Netherlands (June 25), Algeria vs. Austria (June 27), round of 16 (July 3), quarterfinal (July 11)
What to know: Opened in 1972, the stadium has been formally named GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium since 2021. The home of the NFL's Chiefs since 1972, it is 8.5 miles from downtown Kansas City, Missouri, and has no rail access. The Kansas City host committee announced $15 round trip shuttle buses on match days. The venue is adjacent to Kauffman Stadium, home of MLB's Kansas City Royals. Arrowhead was to have hosted the 2015 Super Bowl but the game was relocated after the failure to enact a sales-tax proposal that would have funded a rolling roof for the two venues. According to Guinness World Records, the stadium set a mark for the loudest outdoor sporting event crowd at 142.2 decibels for a Chiefs game against the New England Patriots on Sept. 29, 2014. The stadium also was home to MLS's Kansas City team from 1996 to 2007. The Chiefs intend to move in 2031 to a planned domed stadium to be built in Kansas City, Kansas, near the Kansas Speedway.
AT&T Stadium (Dallas Stadium)
Capacity: 94,000
Location: Arlington, Texas
Matches: Netherlands vs. Japan (June 14), England vs. Croatia (June 17), Argentina vs. Austria (June 22), Japan vs. Sweden (June 25), Jordan vs. Algeria (June 27), round of 32 (June 30 and July 3), round of 16 (July 6), semifinal (July 14).
What to know: The retractable-roof stadium, opened in 2009, is the home of the NFL's Dallas Cowboys and is known as Jerry's World after Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. It hosted the 2011 Super Bowl, the 2015 NCAA football championship and the 2014 NCAA basketball Final Four, which it will host again in 2030. An NFL record crowd of 105,121 attended a Cowboys game against the New York Giants on Sept. 20, 2009, and 108,713 were at the 2010 NBA All-Star Game. Four video screens are suspended 90 feet above the field, including two 160-by-72 feet screens facing the sidelines and two 53-by-30 feet displays that face the endlines. The stadium is about 20 miles from Dallas and adjacent to Globe Life Field, home of MLB's Texas Rangers, and Choctaw Stadium, the former Rangers' ballpark that was reconfigured for football when the Rangers moved to their new building in 2020. Grass was installed over the artificial turf. The nearest rail station, Trinity Railway Express' Centreport Station, is 8 miles from AT&T and will have free shuttle buses to the stadium on matchdays. The Cotton Bowl, about 19 miles east in Dallas, was a 1994 site.
Gillette Stadium (Boston Stadium)
Capacity: 65,000
Location: Foxborough, Massachusetts
Matches: Haiti vs. Scotland (June 13), Iraq vs. Norway (June 16), Scotland vs. Morocco (June 19), England vs. Ghana (June 23), Norway vs. France (June 26), round of 32 (June 29), quarterfinal (July 9)
What to Know: Located 29 miles southwest of Boston and 25 miles northeast of Providence, Rhode Island, the stadium opened in 2002 and is home of the NFL's New England Patriots and MLS's New England Revolution. It replaced adjacent Foxboro Stadium, a 1994 World Cup venue. Grass was installed over the artificial turf. Train service to the stadium by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority is limited to the days of events and will cost $80 round trip on days of World Cup matches, up from $20 for NFL and MLS games. Bus service from Boston will cost $95 round trip on days of World Cup games.
Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Stadium)
Capacity: 65,000
Location: Miami Gardens, Florida
Matches: Saudi Arabia vs. Uruguay (June 15), Uruguay vs. Cape Verde (June 21), Brazil vs. Scotland (June 24), Colombia vs. Portugal (June 27), round of 32 (July 3), quarterfinal (July 11), third place (July 18)
What to know: Opened in 1987, the stadium is the home of the NFL's Miami Dolphins. It also hosted MLB's Miami Marlins when they started play in 1993 through 2011, before their move to a new ballpark near downtown Miami, and since 2019 has been the site of the Miami Open tennis tournament. Hard Rock is about 15 miles north of downtown Miami and 25 miles south of Fort Lauderdale and has no nearby rail service. FIFA has arranged free shuttles from the Brightline train's Aventura Station. A renovation that started in 2015 added a soccer-stadium-style roof protecting fans from rain. Hard Rock has hosted the Super Bowl six times, surpassed only by the eight of the Superdome in New Orleans, and the NCAA football championship twice, with a third game scheduled for 2030. The stadium hosted the 2024 Copa America final, which started 82 minutes late because of crowd trouble outside the venue.
Levi's Stadium (San Francisco Bay Area Stadium)
Capacity: 71,000
Location: Santa Clara, California
Matches: Qatar vs. Switzerland (June 13), Austria vs. Jordan (June 16), Turkey vs. Paraguay (June 19), Jordan vs. Algeria (June 22), Paraguay vs. Australia (June 25), round of 32 (July 1),
What to know: The stadium, opened in 2014. is home of the NFL's San Francisco 49ers and hosted the Super Bowl in 2016 and 2026, and also the 2019 NCAA college football championship. It is in Silicon Valley, home to many technology companies, about 43 miles south of San Francisco, and has regular Caltrain service. Levi's is the only U.S. site not assigned a match beyond the round of 32. Stanford Stadium, about 13 miles northwest, was a 1994 World Cup site.
Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia Stadium)
Capacity: 69,000
Location: Philadelphia
Matches: Ivory Coast vs. Ecuador (June 14), Brazil vs. Haiti (June 19), France vs. Iraq (June 22), Curaao vs. Ivory Coast (June 25), Croatia vs. Ghana (June 27), round of 16 (July 4)
What to know: Known as the Linc and opened in 2003, the stadium is home of the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles. It part of the South Philadelphia Sports Complex, a short SEPTA Metro ride from downtown, and adjacent to Citizens Bank Park, home of MLB's Phillies; Xfinity Mobile Arena, home of the NBA's 76ers and the NHL's Flyers; and Stateside Live!, a dining and entertainment complex. SEPTA charges $2.90 for service to the stadium and is providing free service when leaving after World Cup matches. The Linc replaced Veterans Stadium, the multipurpose home of the Phillies and Eagles. The round of 16 match will have a pregame ceremony marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
Lumen Field (Seattle Stadium)
Capacity: 69,000
Location: Seattle
Matches: Belgium vs. Egypt (June 15), United States vs. Australia (June 19), Bosnia-Herzegovina vs. Qatar (June 24), Egypt vs. Iran (June 26), round of 32 (July 1), round of 16 (July 6)
What to know: Lumen Field, a short walk or Sound Transit Link light railway ride from downtown, opened in 2002. It is home of the NFL's Seahawks and MLS's Sounders. It is next to T-Mobile Park, home of MLB's Mariners. The NFL and MLB teams had shared the Kingdome. Grass was installed over the artificial turf.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta Stadium)
Capacity: 75,000
Location: Atlanta
Matches: Spain vs. Cape Verde (June 15), Czech Republic vs. South Africa (June 18), Spain vs. Saudi Arabia (June 21), Morocco vs. Haiti (June 24). Congo vs. Uzbekistan (June 27), round of 32 (July 1), round of 16 (July 7), semifinal (July 15).
What to know: Opened in 2017, the downtown retractable-roof venue is home to the NFL's Atlanta Falcons and MLS's Atlanta United. It hosted the Super Bowl in 2019 and is scheduled to again in 2028. The stadium also was site of NCAA football's college championship game in 2018 and 2025, and is schedule to host the NCAA basketball Final Four in 2031. Because of the cost, FIFA did not insist the Mercedes-Benz logo atop the stadium's roof be covered or removed. Mercedes-Benz is close to two MARTA subway stations.
MetLife Stadium (New York New Jersey Stadium)
Capacity: 82,500
Location: East Rutherford, New Jersey
Matches: Brazil vs Morocco (June 13), France vs Senegal (June 16), Norway vs. Senegal June (June 22), Ecuador vs. Germany (June 25), Panama vs. England (June 27), round of 32 (June 30), round of 16 (July 5), final (July 19).
What to know: Just across the Hudson River from Manhattan in the New Jersey swamplands, MetLife Stadium will be host to the World Cup final on July 19. The home of the New York Giants and New York Jets, it opened in 2010 and replaced next-door Giants Stadium, a 1994 World Cup venue. With its gray seats, it has been considered one of the uglier new NFL venues. It is surrounded by parking lots and adjacent to Meadowlands Racetrack and the American Dream Mall. There is limited transportation, with little pedestrian access and a train that runs only surrounding events. New York Jersey Transit is charging $98 round trip on days of World Cup matches, down from the originally announced $150 but up from $12.90 from days of other events at MetLife. The shuttle bus price from Manhattan, at first announced as $80, has been cut to $20. The stadium hosted the 2016 Copa America Centenario final. To accommodate the specified field dimensions, 1,740 seats in the corners were removed. They will be reinstalled before the NFL season.
NRG Stadium (Houston Stadium)
Capacity: 72,000
Location: Houston
Matches: Germany vs. Curaao (June 14), Portugal vs. Congo (June 17), Netherlands vs. Sweden (June 20), Portugal vs. Uzbekistan (June 23), Cape Verde vs. Saudi Arabia (June 26), round of 32 (June 29), round of 16 (July 4)
What to know: Opened in 2002, NRG has a retractable roof and is home of the NFL's Houston Texans, who moved from the Astrodome. Grass was installed over the artificial turf. The stadium is about 6 miles from downtown and is serviced by the METRORail. The stadium hosted the Super Bowl in 2004 and 2017, the NCAA football championship game in 2024 and the NCAA basketball Final Four in 2011, 2016 and 2023.
SoFi Stadium (Los Angeles Stadium)
Capacity: 70,000
Location: Inglewood, California
Matches: United States vs. Paraguay (June 12), Iran vs. New Zealand (June 15), Switzerland vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina (June 18), Belgium vs. Iran (June 21), Turkey vs. United States (June 25), round of 32 (June 28), round of 32 (July 2), quarterfinal (July 10)
What to know: Opened in 2020, SoFi was built on the site of Hollywood Race Course in a Los Angeles suburb near Los Angeles International Airport and is home of the NFL's Los Angeles Rams and Chargers. UNITE HERE Local 11, which represents food and beverage concessions workers at the stadium, is threatening to strike. While there is a roof, the sides are open to air. Grass was installed over the artificial turf. The stadium hosted the 2022 Super Bowl and the 2023 NCAA football championship. There is no adjacent rail but LA Metro is offering shuttle service on match days from the LAX/Metro Transit Center Station. FIFA is charging $250 per game for parking in a stadium garage listed as 0.62 miles from the venue, surging to $300 for some matches. The Rose Bowl, about 20 miles away in Pasadena, was site of the finals of the 1994 World Cup and the 1999 Women's World Cup.
Estadio Akron (Estadio Guadalajara)
Capacity: 48,000
Location: Guadalajara, Mexico
Matches: South Korea vs. Czech Republic (June 11), Mexico vs. South Korea (June 17), Colombia vs. Congo (June 23), Uruguay vs. Spain (June 26)
What to know: Opened in 2010, the stadium is home to Chivas, which inaugurated the venue with a friendly against Manchester United. The venue hosted the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2011 Pan American Games.
Estadio Azteca (Estadio Ciudad de México)
Capacity: 83,000
Location: Mexico City
Matches: Mexico vs. South Africa (June 11), Colombia vs. Uzbekistan (June 17), Mexico City vs. Czech Republic (June 24), round of 32 (June 30), round of 16 (July 6)
What to know: Site of this year's tournament opener, Azteca opened in 1966 and hosted World Cup finals in 1970 and 1986. Attendance for the final was 107,412 in 1970 and 114,600 in 1986 but capacity was reduced during a series of renovations. Formally known as Estadio Banorte. There is light rail service connecting to the Metro. Altitude is 7,200 feet, which presents a challenge for teams traveling from areas close to sea level. Club América and Cruz Azul are the stadium's current home teams and past home teams include Atlante, Atlético Español and Necaxa.
Estadio BBVA (Estadio Monterrey)
Capacity: 53,500
Location: Monterrey, Mexico
Matches: Tunisia vs. Sweden (June 14), Tunisia vs. Japan (June 20), South Korea vs. South Africa (June 24), round of 32 (June 29)
What to know: Opened in 2015, the stadium is the home of Monterrey. It is in one of the warmest areas hosting World Cup matches this year, with temperatures soaring past 90 degrees F (32 C). The stadium, which has a futuristic exterior resembling gills, has a view of the Cerro de la Silla mountain range.
BMO Field (Toronto Stadium)
Capacity: 45,000
Location: Toronto
Matches: Canada vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina (June 12), Ghana vs. Panama (June 17), Germany vs. Ivory Coast (June 20), Panama vs. Croatia (June 23), Senegal vs. Iraq (June 26), round of 32 (July 2)
What to know: Built on the site of Exhibition Stadium, former home to MLB's Toronto Blue Jays and the CFL's Toronto Argonauts, BMO opened in 2007 and is home of Toronto's MLS team and the Argonauts. Its capacity of 28,180 was expanded for the World Cup with temporary bleachers. The stadium can be reached by tram and train service.
B.C. Place (B.C. Place Vancouver)
Capacity: 54,000
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Matches: Australia vs. Turkey (June 13), Canada vs. Qatar (June 18), New Zealand vs. Egypt (June 21), Canada vs. Switzerland (June 24), Belgium vs. New Zealand (June 26), round of 32 (July 2), round of 16 (July 7)
What to know: Opened in 1983, B.C. is home of MLS's Whitecaps, who are threatening to move, and the CFL's BC Lions. A roof renovation that started in 2010 changed it from fixed to retractable. The stadium is downtown and has Skytrain service. Grass was installed over the artificial turf. Site of the 2015 Women's World Cup final, B.C. also hosted the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympics.
Jun 09, 2026, 8:45 PM GMT
What to know about 9 teams competing in Philadelphia
Philadelphia is hosting six FIFA World Cup matches, including a Round of 16 match on July 4.
FILE - Ivory Coast players pose for a team photo ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinal soccer match between Egypt and Ivory Coast, in Agadir, Morocco, Jan. 10, 2026.
The games will be held at Lincoln Financial Field, which has been renamed "Philadelphia Stadium" for the international event.
FIFA has Team Base Camp (TBC) Training Sites established across the country, including two in our area. Ivory Coast will be training at Subaru Park in Chester, Pa., which is the home of the Philadelphia Union. Haiti will be based out of Stockton University in Galloway Township, New Jersey.
Here are some things to know about the dates, times and teams playing in the city, via ESPN:
A general view of Lincoln Financial Field as it is rebranded as Philadelphia Stadium, Wednesday, May 13, 2026, ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup soccer matches in Philadelphia.
Sunday, June 14, 2026
Ivory Coast vs. Ecuador (Group E) will be the first game in Philadelphia. The match begins at 7 p.m.
Group E consists of Germany, Curacao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador. This is a group with a strong, big-name favorite to qualify -- Germany -- two intriguing, easy to underrate teams in Ecuador and Ivory Coast, and a clear underdog in Curacao.
The 2014 winners, Germany, are looking to bounce back from their embarrassing group stage exits in 2018 and 2022.
Ivory Coast are back at the World Cup after a 12-year absence, and while this squad can't match that golden 2000s generation in terms of names, it looks to be a solid unit.
As for Curacao, they'll be expected to make up the numbers, but coach Dick Advocaat is vastly experienced, and they'll hope to pull off the odd upset.
ESPN's predicted order of finish: Germany, Ecuador, Ivory Coast, Curacao
Here's the full squad list for Ivory Coast and Ecuador.
Ecuador
Base camp: Goalkeepers: Hernán Galíndez (Huracan), Moisés Ramírez (AE Kifisias), Gonzalo Valle (LDU Quito)
Midfielders: Alan Minda (Atlético Mineiro), Moisés Caicedo (Chelsea), Jordy Alcivar (Independiente del Valle), Denil Castillo (FC Midtjylland), John Yeboah (Venezia), Alan Franco (Atlético Mineiro), Pedro Vite (Pumas UNAM), Kendry Páez (River Plate), Nilson Angulo (Sunderland), Gonzalo Plata (Flamengo)
Forwards: Kevin Rodríguez (Union St.-Gilloise), Anthony Valencia (Antwerp), Enner Valencia (Pachuca), Jordy Caicedo (Huracán), Jeremy Arévalo (VfB Stuttgart)
Manager: Sebastián Beccacece
FILE - Ecuador players pose for a team photo before a friendly soccer match between the Netherlands and Ecuador in Eindhoven, Netherlands, Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
Ivory Coast
Goalkeepers: Yahia Fofana (Rizespor), Mohamed Koné (Charleroi), Alban Lafont (Panathinaikos)
FILE - Ivory Coast players pose for a team photo ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinal soccer match between Egypt and Ivory Coast, in Agadir, Morocco, Jan. 10, 2026.
Friday, June 19, 2026
Brazil vs. Haiti (Group C) will face off at 8:30 p.m.
Group C consists of Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, and Scotland. This is a group that Brazil should win, but Morocco are a dangerous second seed in this section, especially after their heroics at the 2022 World Cup when they became the first African nation to reach the semifinals.
ESPN's predicted order of finish: Brazil, Morocco, Scotland, Haiti.
Defenders: Carlens Arcus (Angers), Wilguens Paugain (Zulte Waregem), Duke Lacroix (Colorado Springs Switchbacks), Martin Expérience (Nancy), Jean-Kevin Duverne (Gent), Ricardo Adé (LDU Quito), Hannes Delcroix (Lugano), Keeto Thermoncy (Young Boys)
Midfielders: Carl Fred Sainte (El Paso Locomotive), Leverton Pierre (Vizela), Danley Jean Jacques (Philadelphia Union), Jean-Ricner Bellegarde (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Woodensky Pierre (Violette), Dominique Simon (FC Tatran Presov)
Haiti national soccer team players pose for a team picture at the start of an international friendly soccer match against New Zealand, June 2, 2026, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Monday, June 22, 2026
France will take on Iraq (Group I) at 5 p.m.
Group I consists of France, Senegal, Iraq, Norway.
After not reaching a final in the first 15 World Cups, France have appeared in four of the last seven, including the last two.
Runners-up last time out in Qatar, a France side with star Kylian Mbappé, Désiré Doué, Ousmane Dembélé and Michael Olise in attack will be aiming to go one step better than four years ago.
Iraq, nicknamed the Lions of Mesopotamia, are back at the World Cup for the first time in four decades. Placed in a tough group, Iraq head coach Graham Arnold will do his best to instill belief, but realistically, 2026 is a platform to build toward next year's AFC Asian Cup and beyond.
ESPN's predicted order of finish: France, Senegal, Norway, Iraq.
France
Goalkeepers: Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Robin Risser (Lens), Brice Samba (Rennes)
Defenders: Lucas Digne (Aston Villa), Malo Gusto (Chelsea), Lucas Hernández (Paris Saint-Germain), Theo Hernández (Al Hilal), Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool), Jules Koundé (Barcelona), Maxence Lacroix (Crystal Palace), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich)
Goalkeepers: Fahad Talib (Al-Talaba), Jalal Hassan (Al-Zawraa), Ahmed Basil (Al-Shorta)
Defenders: Hussein Ali (Pogo Szczecin), Manaf Younis (Al-Shorta), Zaid Tahseen (Pakhtakor), Rebin Sulaka (Port FC), Akam Hashem (Al-Zawraa), Merchas Doski (Viktoria Plze), Ahmed Yahya (Al-Shorta), Zaid Ismail (Al-Talaba), Frans Putros (Port FC), Mustafa Saadoon (Al-Shorta)
Midfielders: Amir Al-Ammari (Cracovia), Kevin Yakob (AGF Aarhus), Zidane Iqbal (FC Utrecht), Aimar Sher (Sarpsborg 08), Ibrahim Bayesh (Al-Riyadh), Ahmed Qasim (Elfsborg), Youssef Amyn (Eintracht Braunschweig), Marko Farji (Strmsgodset)
Forwards: Ali Jasim (Como), Ali Al-Hamadi (Ipswich Town), Ali Yousef (Al-Shorta), Aymen Hussein (Al-Khor), Mohanad Ali (Al-Shorta)
Manager: Graham Arnold
FILE - Iraq players pose for a team photo prior to the World Cup playoff final soccer match between Iraq and Bolivia in Monterrey, Mexico, Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
Thursday, June 25, 2026
Curacao will take on Ivory Coast (Group E) at 4 p.m.
With a population of just 156,000, Curacao became the smallest nation ever to qualify for the World Cup, taking advantage of the absence in qualification of three of CONCACAF's traditional giants.
The majority of Curacao's players were born in the Netherlands and they were led in qualification by legendary Dutch coach Dick Advocaat. The former Netherlands and PSV Eindhoven coach, who is 78 years old, is set to become the oldest coach ever to manage at a World Cup. Advocaat stepped down from the role in February for family reasons but returned on May 12, just 30 days before the start of the tournament.
Curacao will have their work cut out in Group E, but whatever happens, it will be a special time to be on the island.
FILE - Curacao players pose for a team photo ahead of their international soccer friendly against Australia in Melbourne, Australia, Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
Saturday, June 27, 2026
Croatia will take on Ghana (Group L) at 5:00 p.m.
Group L consists of England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama.
With the wealth of talent at England's disposal, and having reached the finals of the past two European Championships, anything less than a deep run would be seen as a big disappointment.
Croatia have won two bronze medals and one silver at World Cup finals, despite only playing in six tournaments. A deep run is perhaps beyond Croatia's reach this time around, as their legendary core of players has aged or retired, but they'll still expect to reach the knockout phase.
Ghana are better than their FIFA ranking suggests, but still on the comeback trail after missing the most recent AFCON. The late appointment of Carlos Queiroz -- replacing Otto Addo -- could go either way, although they remain an outside bet for the knockouts.
Panama will aim to sneak into third in the group and put themselves in the running for a place in the knockouts.
ESPN's predicted order of finish: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama.
Defenders: Josko Gvardiol (Manchester City), Duje Caleta-Car (Real Sociedad), Josip Sutalo (Ajax), Josip Stanisic (Bayern Munich), Marin Pongracic (Fiorentina), Martin Erlic (Midtjylland), Luka Vuskovic (Hamburg)
Midfielders: Luka Modric (AC Milan), Mateo Kovacic (Manchester City), Mario Pasalic (Atalanta), Nikola Vlasic (Torino), Luka Sucic (Real Sociedad), Martin Baturina (Como), Kristijan Jakic (Augsburg), Petar Sucic (Inter Milan), Nikola Moro (Bologna), Toni Fruk (Rijeka)
Forwards: Ivan Perisic (PSV Eindhoven), Andrej Kramaric (Hoffenheim), Ante Budimir (Osasuna), Marco Pasalic (Orlando City), Petar Musa (FC Dallas), Igor Matanovic (Freiburg)
Manager: Zlatko Dalic
FILE - Croatia players pose for a team photo before a World Cup 2026 group L qualifying soccer match between Croatia and Faroe Islands in Rijeka, Croatia, Friday, Nov. 14, 2025.
Ghana
Goalkeepers: Benjamin Asare (Accra Hearts of Oak SC), Lawrence Ati-Zigi (St Gallen), Joseph Anang (St Patrick's Athletic)
Defenders: Baba Abdul Rahman (PAOK Salonika), Gideon Mensah (AJ Auxerre), Marvin Senaya (AJ Auxerre), Alidu Seidu (Stade Rennais), Abdul Mumin (Rayo Vallecano), Jerome Opoku (Istanbul Basaksehir), Jonas Adjetey (VfL Wolfsburg), Kojo Oppong Peprah (Nice), Derrick Luckassen (Pafos)
Midfielders: Elisha Owusu (AJ Auxerre), Thomas Partey (Villarreal), Kwasi Sibo (Real Oviedo), Augustine Boakye (Saint-Étienne), Caleb Yirenkyi (FC Nordsjlland), Abdul Fatawu Issahaku (Leicester City)
Forwards: Kamal Deen Sulemana (Atalanta), Christopher Bonsu Baah (Al Qadsiah), Ernest Nuamah (Lyon), Antoine Semenyo (Manchester City), Brandon Thomas-Asante (Coventry City), Prince Kwabena Adu (Viktoria Plzen), Iñaki Williams (Athletic Club), Jordan Ayew (Leicester City)
Manager: Carlos Queiroz
FILE - Ghana players poses for team photo prior to the start of the international friendly soccer match between Japan and Ghana in Toyota, central Japan Friday, Nov. 14, 2025.
Saturday, July 4, 2026
Round of 16 match 2 at 5 p.m. ET.
The teams playing in the Round of 16 game in Philadelphia will be determined by the results of the Group Play stage.
